ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts launched its Special Swachhta campaign 3.0 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti with a pan- India Plantation & Cleaning drive at over 1.6 lakh post offices in all parts of the country
As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary and to launch the implementation phase of Special Campaign 3.0, the entire network of India Post joined hands for an extensive and unique plantation drive and cleanliness campaign through out the country. The initiative spanned from the highest post office in Hikkim, Himachal Pradesh to branch offices in the scenic landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, a Branch Postmaster who lost his leg during a cross-border shelling incident while on duty actively participated in this green mission, highlighting commitment and replace to serve among post office staff at all levels and situation. As India Post is the Central Government Organisation with presence and reach in all parts of the country like no other government institution, this green initiative goes a long way in raising awareness and consciousness about environment friendly practices and life style among post office staff and socio-geographic communities around each post office.
It is pertinent to point out that the plantation drive came in close in the heels for the massive Jan Bhagidaari event organised under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi under the banner 'Ek Tareeekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’. India Post spearheaded over 1200 locations drawing the participation of approximately 50,000 citizens. During these events, citizens collectively took the Swachhta pledge, reaffirming their commitment to a cleaner and greener India. Shramdaan activities added to the community spirit, making this initiative a true celebration of unity and environmental consciousness.
With the momentum created by these two major events in the Department of Posts, the stage is set for the Department to take its Swachhta and Green Initiatives to the next level over the remaining days in the month of October. The Special Campaign 3.0 is being implemented under the aegis of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in the whole of Government. Department of Posts has been an enthusiastic flag bearer in the previous two special campaigns and is committed to the cause deeply.
Branch Postmaster of Sehar Branch Post Office, Nowshera Sub Division, Rajouri Division, Jammu and Kashmir
Keran Branch Post Office Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir
Hikkim Post Office, Himachal Pradesh
DK/DK
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Ministry of Textiles
New Textile Policy
Government is considering promotion of MMF and Technical Textile under Production Linked Incentive  scheme. The formulation of Focus Product Incentive Scheme  under the ambit of Production Linked Incentive  Scheme is in process. The objective of the FPIS would be creating global champions in MMF apparel and Technical Textiles and capturing substantial share in global trade in these segments. The scheme will provide incentive from 3% to 15% on stipulated incremental turnover for a period of five years after one year gestation period for brownfield investment and two years gestation period for greenfield investment.
Ministry of Textiles is contemplating a New Textile Policy. At present, New Textile Policy has not been finalized and it is at draft stage. The New Textile Policy inter alia, will give thrust on enhancing export performance and creating better employment opportunities. The New Textile Policy is being formulated by holding widespread consultations with various associations, industry bodies, State Governments and other stakeholders representing subsectors viz. Cotton, Silk, Jute Wool, Handloom, Handicrafts, Powerloom etc.
In the budget 2021-22, it has been announced that a Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Parks scheme  will be launched, with an aim to attract large investment and employment generation in the sector to further boost domestic manufacturing and to create world class infrastructure at one place with plug & play facilities. It will enable textile industry to achieve size and scale so as to become globally competitive and also create global champions in exports. Under the scheme, 7 Mega Textile Parks will be established over 3 years.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre rushes High Level Central teams to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Manipur
Central teams to assist in strengthening Containment, Surveillance, Testing, Infection Prevention, and efficient Clinical Management
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has deputed high level Central teams to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Manipur. With the surge in the daily new cases and the spike in the daily fatalities in UT of Delhi, the spillover effect is being observed in the NCR regions within the states of Haryana and Rajasthan where the number of COVID positive patients is on the rise.
Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS New Delhi is leading the three-member team bound for Harayana and Dr V K Paul, Member , Niti Aayog is heading the Rajasthan team whereas Dr S K Singh, Director  will be leading the Gujarat team. Dr L Swasticharan, Addl DDG, DHGS is heading the Manipur team.
The teams will visit the districts reporting high number of COVID cases and support the State efforts towards strengthening containment, surveillance, testing, infection prevention and control measures, and efficient clinical management of the positive cases.
The Central teams shall also guide in effectively managing the challenges related to timely diagnosis and follow up.
The Union Government has been leading the fight against the global pandemic with a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach under the umbrella strategy of ‘Cooperative Federalism’. As an ongoing effort to strengthen efforts of various State/UT Governments for COVID management, the Central Government has been deputing Central teams from time to time to visit various States/UTs. These teams interact with the State/UT authorities and get a first hand understanding of the challenges and issues being faced by them so as to strengthen their ongoing activities and remove bottlenecks, if any.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Curtain Raiser for One Week One Lab Programme at CSIR-CGCRI
With an aim of highlighting the scientific and technological connect of laboratories with multiple tiers of society, CSIR has initiated a unique 'One Week One Lab'  programme that was launched by the Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also the Vice President of CSIR.
The Curtain Raiser programme for the week long OWOL for CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute , Kolkata was held on 22.08.2023 in the institute. Dr Ranjan Sen, Director of Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Kolkata was the Chief Guest and was accompanied as guest of honour by Dr Debashis Bhattacharjee, Vice President, Technology and R&D of Tata Steel; Dr Ranjana Agarwal, Director of CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research; and Dr H.S. Maiti, Former Director of CSIR-CGCRI. The programme was also associated with exhibitions of technology portfolio of the institute.
Lighting of the lamp and dignitaries on the dais during the Curtain Raiser programme
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Cabinet approved Amendment to the Central Universities Act, 2009 for setting up of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in the State of Telangana
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave its approval for introduction in Parliament, a Bill, namely, the Central Universities , Bill, 2023 further to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009 for setting up of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University at Mulugu District in the State of Telangana as provided in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, 2014 .
There would be provision of funds of Rs. 889.07 crore. The new university will not only increase access and improve the quality of higher education in the State but also promote avenues of higher education and advance knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities in tribal art, culture and traditional knowledge system for the benefit of the tribal population in the State. This new university will also create additional capacity and will strive to remove regional imbalances.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Government of India has not received any written communication from the Republic of Namibia regarding lifting of ban on ivory trade
The story ‘Under Cheetah deal, sought India’s support on lifting ivory ban: Namibia’ published by Indian Express on 13th October, 2022 largely relies on speculation, hearsay and not on facts.
Though the agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Namibia and Government of the Republic of India includes ‘wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilization’ as one of the areas of cooperation, this cannot be construed as support for lifting the ban on trade in endangered species.
The Government of India has not received any written communication from the Republic of Namibia regarding lifting of ban on ivory trade. As sovereign countries both India and Namibia will evaluate their positions on sustainable biodiversity utilization within the ambit of agreement based on the principles of mutual respect, sovereignty, equality and in the best interest of the parties.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Press Note
Shri Rajiv, Vigilance Commissioner in Central Vigilance Commission will be completing his tenure of 4 years on 27.02.2018. Accordingly, the Department of Personnel & Training  has initiated the process of selection by issuing advertisements in leading newspapers  on 20.01.2018 seeking applications from eligible candidates, for filling up the post of Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission. A vacancy circular dated 19.01.2018 has also been uploaded on the website of DoPT . The last date of receipt of applications in DoPT is 19.02.2018.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Cabinet approves signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Chile for cooperation in Disability Sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Chile for cooperation in Disability Sector.
The bilateral Memorandum of Understanding will encourage cooperation between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India and Government of Chile through joint initiatives in the disabilities sector. It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Chile.
A joint Letter of Intent was signed between the countries expressing desire for cooperation in disability sector especially in the following areas:
- Sharing of information on disability policy and delivery of services.
- Exchange of information and knowledge.
- Cooperation in assistive device technology.
- Development of projects of mutual interest in disability sector.
- Early identification and prevention of disability.
- Exchange of experts, academicians and other administrative staff.
MoU provides the mechanism for funding to cover expenses for the activities under it. The expenses for such activities will be mutually decided by both the Government on a case to case basis subject to availability of funds and resources. The cost towards international travel/accommodation for joint activities will be taken care of by the visiting country whereas the cost towards holding meeting will be borne by the host country.
India Chile relations are warm and friendly based on commonality of views on a wide range of issues. The year 2019-20 marked 70th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Bilateral relations have strengthened over the years with exchange of high-level visits, which include two visits of the Hon’ble President of Chile in 2005 and 2009.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on government and private medical institute regulation in the country
Medical Assessment and Rating Board  established for assessing and rating of medical institutions 
National Council for Clinical Establishments has been constituted
for registration and regulation of Government as well as private clinical establishments
Government of India has established the Medical Assessment and Rating Board  under the National Medical Commission  Act, 2019 for assessing and rating of medical institutions  for their compliance with standards laid down by the NMC. Further, as per the provisions of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct,
Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations 2002, issued under Indian Medical Council Act 1956,
cases/complaints related to medical negligence are dealt by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare in the State/UTs or concerned State Medical Council. If the complainant or respondent is not satisfied with the decision taken by the State Medical Council, he/she can file an appeal at Ethics and Medical Registration Board, National Medical Commission.
The National Council for Clinical Establishments has been constituted under Clinical Establishments  Act, 2010  for registration and
regulation of Government  as well as private clinical establishments belonging to recognized systems of medicine with the objectives of providing
affordable and quality healthcare to patients. As per the CE Act, 2010, the clinical establishments are required to fulfil the conditions of minimum standards of facilities and services, minimum requirement of personnel, maintenance of records & reports and other conditions including ensuring compliance to Standard Treatment Guidelines  issued by the Central / State Government and display of rates charged by them at a conspicuous place. The CE Act, 2010 also provides for cancellation of registration of hospitals, if the conditions of the registration are not complied with. As on date, the CE act, 2010 has been adopted by 12 States and 7 UTs. The complaints related to deficiency in medical services in any respect can also be filed in District/State/National Consumer Dispute Redressal Forums under the Consumer Protection Act 1986 .
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. SP Singh Baghel, stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
AN-32 CRASH : INCLEMENT WEATHER HAMPERING RECOVERY OPERATIONS
Operations to retrieve the mortal remains of the personnel onboard the ill fated An-32 are on. The rescue team of 17 IAF, Army SF and civilian members is present at the crash site. The rescue operations are being curtailed due to incessant rains and heavy clouding. No helicopter could fly today due to bad weather.
Helicopter operations require great skill and caution, under such conditions, especially hovering at high altitudes and very close to the steep mountain slopes. Bad weather is hampering hovering by helicopters to do winching operations which are mandatory for all the rescue operations and recovery of mortal remains. All efforts are being made to heli-lift the mortal remains of the IAF personnel at the earliest to their parent base Jorhat. Rescue teams are standing by and operations will resume as soon as the weather improves.
Ministry of Finance
Clarification in respect of residency under section 6 of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section 6 of the Income-tax Act, 1961  contains provisions relating to residency of a person. The status of an individual as to whether he is resident in India or a non-resident or not ordinarily resident, is dependent, inter-alia, on the period for which the person is in India during a year.
Various representations have been received stating that there are number of individuals who had come on a visit to India during the previous year 2019-20 for a particular durationand intended to leave India before the end of the previous year for maintaining their status as non-resident or not ordinary resident in India. However due to declaration of the lockdown and suspension of international flights owing to outbreak of Novel Corona Virus , they are required to prolong their stay in India. Concerns have been expressed that they may involuntarily end up becoming Indian residents without any intention to do so.
In order to avoid genuine hardship in such cases, the CBDT has decided vide circular no 11 dated May 8, 2020, that for the purposes of determining the residential status under section 6 of the Act during the previous year 2019-20 in respect of an individual who has come to India on a visit before 22nd March, 2020 and:
- has been unable to leave India on or before 31st March 2020, his period of stay in India from 22nd March, 2020 to 31st March, 2020 shall not be taken into account; or
- has been quarantined in India on account of Novel Corona Virus  on or after 1st March, 2020 and has departed on an evacuation flight on or before 31st March, 2020 or has been unable to leave India on or before 31st March, 2020, his period of stay from the beginning of his quarantine to his date of departure or 31st March, 2020, as the case may be, shall not be taken into account; or
- has departed on an evacuation flight on or before 31st March, 2020, his period of stay in India from 22nd March, 2020 to his date of departure shall not be taken into account.
Further, as the lockdown continues during the Financial Year 2020-21 and it is not yet clear as to when international flight operations would resume, a circular excluding the period of stay of these individuals up to the date of normalisation of international flight operations, for determination of the residential status for the previous year 2020-21 shall be issued after the said normalisation.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets the nation on the festival of Holi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi greeted the nation on Holi, a festival of color, enthusiasm and joy. He wished “May this festival bring happiness in the lives of all the countrymen.”
Ministry of Education
IGNOU’s entrance tests on 11th April
Indira Gandhi National Open University  is conducting Entrance Tests for Management Programmes, B.Ed. Programme and Post Basic B.Sc.Nursing Programme on Sunday, 11th April, 2021 at 10:00 am to 1:00pm. The Test is being organized at 120 Examination Centres, accommodating 40,170 candidates. Under Trivandrum region the entrance tests are being organized at Mar Ivanios College Nalachira, Trivandrum and S.N.College, Kollam.
The Hall-Tickets have already been uploaded on the University website www.ignou.ac.in . The candidates are advised to download the hall ticket by entering the Control No. or Mobile No., and date of birth, and report to the Examination Centre 45 minutes before commencement of the Entrance Test. In case candidates are unable to download the Hall-Ticket, they can contact the Regional Centre and obtain a print out of their hall ticket. It is noted that, due to operational reasons, the request for change of examination center will not be entertained.
For further details contact IGNOU Regional Centre, Rajadhani Complex, Killippalam P.O., Trivandrum Ph 0471-22344113/2344120, Email: rctrivandrum@ignou.ac.in
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PIB Headquarters
430 YEAR OLD BAOBAB TREE IN GOLCONDA HEALTHY: HORTICULTURE REPORT
Dr. Milan Kumar Chaubey, the Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Society of India  in a press release stated that the 430 year old Baobab tree at Naya Qila, Golconda Fort is healthy. The tree has been inspected by Horticultural experts and found to be healthy, he said.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Social security for unorganized workers
For the first time, the definition of ‘gig worker’ or ‘platform worker’ has been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 . The Code envisages setting up of helpline, facilitation centre, etc. for gig workers and platform workers by the appropriate Government to assist them to obtain registration, to facilitate their enrolment in the social security schemes, etc. The issues related to their employment are addressed by the respective State Government as per the provisions of labour laws.
The Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for framing of suitable social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code also provides for setting up a Social Security Fund and one of the sources of fund, is contribution from aggregator between 1 to 2% of annual turnover of an aggregator subject to the limit of 5% of the amount paid or payable by an aggregator to such workers.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
National Programme for Dairy Development
Recently, National Programme for Dairy Development  scheme has been restructured/realigned in July 2021. The restructured NPDD Scheme is implemented from 2021-22 to 2025-26 and have two components:
Component ''A'' focuses towards creating/strengthening of infrastructure for quality milk testing equipment as well as primary chilling facilities.
Component ''B''  provides financial assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency  for creation of necessary dairy infrastructure, providing market linkages for the produce in villages and for strengthening of capacity building of stake- holding institutions from village to State level.
Provision has been made to encourage dairy entrepreneurships by SHGs registered under State Rural Livelihood Mission  /National Rural Livelihood Mission  by availing financial assistance through NPDD .
An amount of Rs. 266.17 crore and Rs.285.86 crore has been released to States during 2019- 20 & 2020-21 respectively under National Programme for Dairy Development scheme.
Under NPDD scheme, out of 20 projects received from Rajasthan, 19 project have been sanctioned with the total approved outlay of Rs 179.25 crore .
This information was given by Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Ministry of Education
Panch Pran and Swachhta pledge administered in Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education
Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar, administered the Panch Pran and Swachhta pledges to the Bureau Heads and heads of Autonomous Bodies and senior officials of the Ministry.
Shri Kumar emphasized the importance of inspiring students to take the Panch Pran pledge, contributing to the realization of our Prime Minister's dream of propelling India towards development through collective efforts.
He also underscored the significance of Swachhta Abhiyan 3.0 and urged for promoting awareness on its importance, particularly among students.